A major murder investigation has been launched after a woman was discovered dead at a Premier Inn just hours before her partner was struck and killed by a train.

The body of the un-named woman - in her early 40s - was found in a room at the Premier Inn at Kempston, south Bedford, just after 9am yesterday.

Detectives were seeking a man in his 30s in connection with the killing.

At 5.30pm the same day, he was found dead after being struck by a train on a rail line at Nuneaton, Warwickshire, some 70 miles away.

Today, police said they were treating the deaths as a murder and suicide.

They were unable to disclose how the woman, from Milton Keynes, Bucks, died.

A post-mortem examination by a Home Office pathologist was due to be carried out today.

It was understood that the couple had booked in together at the Premier Inn on Friday night.

Following the murder, part of the hotel was sealed off and a full-scale scenes of crime investigation launched.

While investigations were underway to trace the partner, a report was received that a man's body had been found on a railway line in Nuneaton.

His death is being treated as suicide.

A car belonging to the man, who was from Nuneaton, was found near the rail line and was being examined yesterday by forensic experts.

A police spokesman said: "At approximately 5.30pm the same day investigating officers received a call confirming a man had died on the railway line in Nuneaton, Warwickshire.

"This man is believed to have been the same person detectives were trying to trace in connection with the Bedfordshire investigation.

"Detectives from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit (BCHMCU) launched a murder inquiry after the woman was found dead in a Kempston, Bedford hotel on Saturday morning.

"Scenes of crime officers undertook a full forensic examination of the area and detectives from the BCHMCU also attended the scene.

"A post mortem examination of the woman's body is due to take place today to ascertain the cause of death.

"No further details relating to her identity will be released until a formal identification has been completed but detectives believe the woman is from Milton Keynes and is the partner of the man found on the railway line in Warwickshire.

"A post mortem examination of the body of the man, who was believed to have been in his late 30s and from Nuneaton, will take place next week."

The spokesman added that no further details will be released in connection with the man's identity until he had been formally identified.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Brunning said: "Our deepest condolences are with the families of the two people involved in this case. Both families are being supported by specialist family liaison officers at this time.

"I can confirm that officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with both deaths. However, the inquiry will now proceed on behalf of H M Coroner, who will conduct an inquest in due course which will outline the circumstances surrounding the investigation."

He added: "Officers will continue to seek information connected to this investigation to assist the coroner and I would urge anyone who may have information but who has not yet contacted the police to do so now."